Tucked away near the end of the Te Puna peninsula and overlooking Tauranga harbour is a magical world of Christmas, created by owners Leanne and Hamish Brooks from Brooks Landscapes.

One of the 74 stops on the Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival's Garden and Art Trail, the ‘Christmas House on the Waterfront' features a café for the duration of the festival so people can sit back, relax and enjoy some refreshments.

'We have a full barista coming in, and will have coffee, bacon butties, scones and carrot cake,” says Leanne. 'We'll also be selling some panforte from Christchurch and Christmas food goodies.”

Leanne, who works as a chaplain across departments at Tauranga Hospital and a private counsellor, used to be a family support worker for Heart Kids Bay of Plenty, and some of the funds raised from the four-day festival café will go towards the organisation.

Leanne Brooks has been collecting Christmas decorations since she was 16. Photo: Supplied.

White Cape Cod chairs under large overhanging pohutakawa give a particularly Kiwi Christmas flavour, with the outlook taking in the moored yachts of Omokoroa and the distant view of Matakana Island.

The white theme continues, with the deck featuring white cane armchairs and small palms growing from large white wooden boxes. It's clear Leanne and Hamish love a white and green theme, enhanced with the traditional red of Christmas.

A white and green informal beachside elegance. Photo: Supplied.

They love to celebrate Christmas both indoors and out. They have a Christmas table setting on their front lawn with long wooden tables and bench seating, surrounded by white pillars topped with Christmas red and green floral displays. The vibe is informal beachside elegance.

'With the large table out on the lawn, people can look out over the water and have lunch. They can also walk down and along the waterfront.”

Leanne Brooks has been collecting Christmas decorations since she was 16. Photo: Supplied.

She's filled the house up inside with hundreds of Christmas decorations.

'I've collected them since I was 16 years old, starting about 40 years ago.”

It takes her about four weeks to set up the display.

'It's a huge set up but the joy of seeing people's faces light up is worth it. It also takes me 45 minutes each day to turn off the battery-operated lights.”

The Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival runs from November 17-20. Purchase tickets at Palmers Bethlehem, Decor Garden World, Pacifica Home and Garden Store, I-site Tauranga, Te Puke Florists, KatchKatikati Information Centre or online at www.gardenandartfestival.co.nz.